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Acutely mentally unwell women face delayed psychiatric treatment at HMP Downview

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HMP/YOI Downview

Women at HMP/YOI Downview who are acutely mentally unwell face lengthy delays when awaiting transfer to psychiatric units.

In its 2024-25 annual report (published 3 September 2025), the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) questioned the suitability of the prison environment for these vulnerable women. The Board found that over the past two reporting years there has been a 90% increase in acutely mentally unwell prisoners facing extended delays in transfers to secure psychiatric settings. The prison frequently has no alternative but to house these women in segregated conditions for their own and others’ safety.

Other key findings from the report include:

  • A substantial decline in the number of women being released on temporary licence (day-release to attend work) – at 12% of 2023 numbers. This is a significant missed opportunity for women to progress in their rehabilitation. The decline threatens the ongoing viability of key employment partners in the prison, such as the Clink Kitchens and Max Spielmann (part of the Timpson group), and valuable relationships with local employers.
  • Ongoing uncertainty over the future of E Wing (a dedicated wing for transgender prisoners), following the UK Supreme Court equality judgement in April 2025. There has been a notable lack of communication from HMPPS to affected prisoners and local staff.

The Board is pleased to report exemplary work by the resettlement team in supporting women to find jobs post-release. Food for prisoners continues to be of good quality and variety, despite being sourced within a limited budget.

IMB HMP / YOI Downview Chair, Emma Wilson, said:

“Prisons, by their very nature, are closed environments with little visibility from outsiders. The general public would be shocked to learn that there are many acutely mentally unwell women who simply should not be detained in a prison environment. It is a shameful indictment of our mental health system to see the punitive and unsuitable conditions in which these women are held.

The impact on these vulnerable women, and on staff and other prisoners is enormous. Prison staff show considerable compassion and patience in supporting these women with their day-to-day needs, but they are not trained mental health professionals. We continue to monitor some extremely distressing examples of acutely mentally unwell women being held in segregation as highlighted in our report. Our firm belief from a monitoring perspective is that prison is categorically the wrong place for such women.”